Vikings wrestling goes 2-1 at The Clash

January 8, 2011

The Minnesota wrestling team finished in fifth place in the "B" bracket of The Clash National Wrestling Duals in Rochester, going 2-1.

The Vikings lost 32-31 against Glenbard North (Ill.) in the opening round before winning two straight: a 54-15 victory over Arrowhead Union (Wis.) and a 43-26 win against Stewartville.

Against Glenbard North, who is ranked No. 19 nationally on The OpenMat, a national wrestling website, the Vikings fell behind after losing six of the first eight matches. Starting with Blake Abraham at 171 pounds, the Vikings won four straight matches to close the gap, but Glenbard North held on for a one-point win. Getting wins for Minneota were Abraham, Adam Josephson (189 pounds), Josh VanOverbeke (215), Jason Vick (heavyweight), Christian Skillings (125), Beau Buysse (135) and Alex Lessman (152).

The Vikings were in a hole against Arrowhead Union, falling behind 12-0 before scoring 25 straight points, including pins by Buysse and Isaac Josephson. Josephson, VanOverbeke and Vick each scored pins. Skillings and Travis Longtin each won by technical fall.

In the fifth-place match, Minneota climbed back from a 11-0 deficit against Stewartville, the No. 9 team in Class AA. Starting with a pin by Alec Engler, the Vikings won six straight matches, including pins by Buysse and Lessman. Sawyer VanHecke and Josephson had pins for the Vikings.